Side airbag energy management system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seating assembly that includes a vehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips of the rear panel portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly,and more particularly, an attachment architecture and energy transferdesign for a side airbag deployment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle seat assemblies are currently provided having integrated safetyfeatures for the protection of the vehicle occupant. Vehicle seatassemblies must be constructed in such a way that the vehicle seat isstructurally sound and provides the support necessary for a vehicleoccupant. In order to improve the safety features of a vehicle seat, anairbag deployment device may be incorporated into the vehicle seatdesign. When an airbag deployment device is integrated into the vehicleseat design, the assembly of the vehicle seat must accommodate properdeployment of the airbag deployment device. Thus, it is desirable toprovide a seat assembly that can be assembled in an efficient mannerwhile providing coupling features that are configured to allow forproper deployment of an airbag deployment device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat backassembly includes a passenger support attached to a trim carrier. Thevehicle seat back assembly includes a suspension assembly coupling thetrim carrier and passenger support to a support structure. The supportstructure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panelportion wherein the rear panel portion contains one or more upperinverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower2-stage attachment clips. A side airbag is coupled in position to theframe member and an airbag deployment system is configured to deploy theside airbag generating a deployment energy wherein the deployment energyis transferred to the one or more upper inverted hooks, the energytransfer bracket, and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips todissipate the deployment energy.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a passenger support, a suspension assembly, and asupport structure wherein the support structure includes a first trimpiece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The vehicle seatingassembly further includes an airbag deployment system configured todeploy a side airbag using the rear panel portion having one or moreupper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower2-stage attachment clips to dissipate a deployment energy.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a support structure having a first trim piece, a seatframe, and a rear panel portion. The vehicle seating assemblyadditionally includes an airbag deployment system configured to deploy aside airbag coupled to the seat frame using the rear panel portionhaving one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, andone or more lower 2-stage attachment clips to dissipate a deploymentenergy.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the presentdisclosure disposed on a seating assembly within a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a seatingassembly, showing an airbag deployed in dashed lines;

FIG. 4 is side elevational view of one embodiment of a seating assembly,showing an airbag deployed in dashed lines;

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of one embodiment of aseatback;

FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of one embodiment of asupport structure of a seatback;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a rear panelportion;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a rear panelportion;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a rear panelportion;

FIG. 10 is an enhanced side view of one embodiment of a upper invertedhook;

FIG. 11A is an enhanced view of one embodiment of an upper inverted hookattached to a seat frame; and

FIG. 11B is an enhanced view of one embodiment of a 2-stage attachmentclip attached to a seat frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wheneverpossible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof, shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1, unlessstated otherwise. However, it is to be understood that the disclosuremay assume various alternative orientations, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification, are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relatingto the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limitingunless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, embodimentsdepicted in the figures may not be to scale or may incorporate featuresof more than one embodiment.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11B, reference numeral 10 generally designates avehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback 22 having a passengersupport 58 attached to a trim carrier 104 with a suspension assembly 128connecting a support structure 78. The support structure 78 includes afirst trim piece 50, a seat frame 132, and a rear panel portion 180. Therear panel portion 180 includes one or more upper inverted hooks 184, anenergy transfer bracket 192, and one or more lower 2-stage attachmentclips 188. An airbag deployment system 46 is positioned proximate thefirst trim piece 50 and a second trim piece 54 and configured to deployan airbag 42 between the first and second trim pieces 50, 54. Thedeployment energy is dissipated through the rear panel portion's 180 oneor more upper inverted hooks 184, the energy transfer bracket 192, andthe one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips 188.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the vehicle seating assembly 10 is positionedin a driver side location of a vehicle 18. The vehicle seating assembly10 includes a seat bottom 30 that is pivotally coupled with the seatback22 for pivotally adjusting the seatback 22 between upright and reclinedpositions relative to the seat bottom 30. The seat bottom 30 is slidablycoupled with a floor 34 of the vehicle 18 upon a track assembly 38. Thetrack assembly 38 is configured to allow the vehicle seating assembly 10to adjust in a forward and rearward direction relative to the floor 34of the vehicle 18. It is understood that the vehicle seating assembly 10may be positioned in various positions throughout the vehicle 18 otherthan the illustrated location, such as a passenger side location, amid-row location, and a rear seat location. It is also conceivable thatthe vehicle seating assembly 10 may not include the reclining featureand may not include the track 38, such that the vehicle seating assembly10 may be fixedly or alternatively coupled with the floor 34 of thevehicle 18.

As also shown in FIG. 1, a controller 26 on the vehicle 18 iselectrically coupled with the airbag deployment system 46. Thecontroller 26 operates to actuate the airbag 42 within the airbagdeployment system 46, causing the airbag 42 to inflate to a deployedposition 86 (FIG. 3) when the controller 26 senses a collision event ofthe vehicle 18, as generally understood in the art. The airbagdeployment system 46 is included on and deploys from the outboard sideof the support structure 78 of the seatback 22. The outboardconnotation, for purposes of this disclosure, refers to a lateral sidemost proximate a side door or a side interior region of the vehicle 18.In turn, the inboard connotation for purposes of this disclosure refersto an area most proximate in a central interior region of the vehicle 18between the laterally opposing outboard sides.

With reference to FIG. 2, the seatback 22 includes the support structure78, which has a first side member 70 and a second side member 74 (FIG.3), each pivotally coupled with a rear portion of the seat bottom 30. Ahead restraint 14 is coupled with and supported by a top member 82 ofthe support structure 78 and is positioned centrally between the firstand second side members 70, 74. The passenger support 58 extends forwardfrom the support structure 78 and includes an upper support component 62and a lower support component 66 for supporting an occupant's upper andlower back, respectively. The upper support component 62 is configuredto pivot forward relative to the support structure 78 and the lowersupport component 66 statically couples with the support structure 78.Although, it is conceivable that the upper support component 62 may alsobe static relative to the support structure 78. It is also contemplatedthat the upper and lower support components 62, 66 of the passengersupport 58 may be a single integral component that extends forward fromthe support structure 78. Further, it is conceivable that the headrestraint 14 may be integrated with the upper support component 62 orthat the head restraint 14 may otherwise not be included on the vehicleseating assembly 10.

The passenger support 58, as shown in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, extends forward and is suspended away from the supportstructure 78 to define an external peripheral gap 94 spanning along thefirst and second side members 70, 74 and the top member 82. The externalperipheral gap 94 may expand upon forward pivoting of the upper supportcomponent 62 and may be compressed proximate an application of rearwardforce to the passenger support 58. However, the external peripheral gap94 is configured to remain large enough for the airbag 42 of the airbagdeployment system 46 (FIG. 1) to deploy forward from the first sidemember 70, through the external peripheral gap 94, and position theairbag 42 in the deployed position 86, as shown in dashed lines. Thedeployed position 86 of the airbag 42 in the illustrated embodimentaligns the airbag 42 accurately between an occupant seated in theseating assembly 10 and an adjacent door of the vehicle 18 (FIG. 1), asdescribed in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper and lower support components 62, 66of the passenger support 58 are attached to the support structure 78with a suspension assembly 128. In the illustrated embodiment, thesuspension assembly 128 includes flexible members 130 extending forwardand laterally outward from the seatback support structure 78 to operablycouple with angled side bolsters 108 of the passenger support 58. Theangled side bolsters 108 are located on the lateral sides of the upperand lower support components 62, 66 and are integrated with the shape ofthe upper and lower support components 62, 66 to prevent lateralmovement of an occupant's back relative to the passenger support 58. Anupper section 124 of the suspension assembly 128 has a central body 120and two outwardly extending flexible members 130 on opposing sides ofthe central body 120. The central body 120 of the upper section 124operably couples with a pivot bar 112 that laterally extends between theopposing side portions of a lower section 116 of the suspension assembly128. The opposing side portions of the lower section 116 similarlyinclude outwardly extending flexible members 130 that couple with thelower support component 66 of the passenger support 58. Accordingly, inthe illustrated embodiment, the lower section 116 is static and theupper section 124 is configured to pivot forward about the pivot bar 112to pivotally adjust the upper support component 62 relative to the lowersupport component 66. It is contemplated that the pivot bar 112 may beoperably controlled with a motorized actuation assembly or a manuallyadjustable actuation mechanism, and also conceivable that the uppersupport component 62 may be statically coupled with the supportstructure 78 of the seatback 22. It is also conceivable that more orfewer flexible members 130 may be included on the upper and/or lowersections 124, 116, such as a single fin-shaped flexible member 130 oneither side of the upper or lower sections 124, 116.

As also shown in FIG. 5, the passenger support 58 in the illustratedembodiment includes a trim carrier 104 having an open matrix thatdefines a pattern of resilient elements that are configured to supportthe weight of an occupant. The trim carrier 104 has an upper panel and alower panel that detachably couple with the respective upper section 124and the lower section 116 of the suspension assembly 128. The passengersupport 58 also includes a cushion 102 that is disposed over a forwardfacing surface of the trim carrier 104. The cushion 102 includes aresilient structure of woven fibers that has open areas for ventilation;however, the cushion 102 may also include open cell foam, closed cellfoam, or other conceivable flexible and breathable materials. Further,the passenger support 58 includes a cover stock 98 to define the backsupport surface of the passenger support 58 and to assist in retainingthe cushion 102 against the trim carrier 104. The cover stock 98 mayconceivably include a fabric material, a leather material, a vinylmaterial, or other upholstery materials generally known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the internal seat frame 132 or the seat frame132 of the support structure 78 in the illustrated embodiment includes afirst frame member 160 and a second frame member 164 extending upwardfrom the pivotal connection with the recliner brackets that attach tothe seat bottom 30 (FIG. 2). The first and second frame members 160, 164are substantially parallel with each other and curve upward and rearwardfrom the recliner brackets to provide a curved shape that issubstantially similar to an occupant's spinal column. Further, the firstand second frame members 160, 164 are more robust proximate the reclinerbrackets and taper as they extend upward to couple with a top framemember 168 that extends orthogonally between the first and second framemembers 160, 164 to support the head restraint 14. Accordingly, thefirst and second side members 70, 74 of the overall support structure 78include the first and second frame members 160, 164, respectively, andthe top member 82 (FIG. 2) includes the top frame member 168. The firstframe member 160 includes an elongated cavity 152 on an exterior side ofthe first frame member 160, such that the first frame member 160corresponds with the outboard side of the vehicle seating assembly 10 inthe driver's side location of the illustrated embodiment. The elongatedcavity 152 is shaped to receive a base portion 194 of the airbagdeployment system 46. A retention aperture 156 is formed in theelongated cavity 152 for receiving a lateral protrusion 196 on the baseportion 194 that houses an electrical wire that extends from the airbagdeployment system 46 to electrically couple with the vehicle controller26. More specifically, an intermediate region of the longitudinal extentof the first frame member 160 includes a portion of the elongated cavity152 that is shaped to retain the airbag 42 in a contained position. Forpurposes of this disclosure, the airbag 42 is shown throughout as beingdisposed on the first frame member 160 of the seat frame 132. However,it is contemplated that the airbag deployment system 46 can be disposedon the second frame member 164 of the seat frame 132, such that thevehicle seat assembly 10 (FIG. 1) can be configured for use as adriver's side or passenger's side assembly. The seat frame 132 iscontemplated to be a reinforced metal seat frame for providingsufficient support for a vehicle occupant in use. The seat frame 132further provides structural support for the attachment of the supportstructure 78 and the passenger support 58 of the vehicle seatingassembly 10.

As also illustrated in FIG. 6, the first and second trim pieces 50, 54that engage to substantially enclose the internal seat frame 132 areshown exploded away from the internal seat frame 132. The first trimpiece 50 is a front, or vehicle forward, piece and the second trim piece54 is a rear trim piece. The first and second trim pieces 50, 54removably engage along a seam 90 (FIG. 4) to conceal the airbag 42 andto define an exterior surface of the support structure 78 (FIG. 2). Thefirst trim piece 50 includes a U-shape and substantially encloses afront portion of the internal seat frame 132 and it is contemplated thatthe first trim piece 50 may extend laterally inward to couple with thesuspension assembly 128. The second trim piece 54 wraps over theexterior sides of the first and second frame members 160, 164 topartially conceal the elongated cavity 152 and includes the rear panelportion 180 that spans between the first and second frame members 160,164 and to substantially enclose a rear portion of the seat frame 132.As also shown, an interior surface of the second trim piece 54 coupleswith a sleeve member 200 of the airbag deployment system 46, asdescribed in more detail below. It is contemplated that the internalseat frame 132 is constructed of a metal material and that the first andsecond trim pieces 50, 54 are molded of a polymer material. However, itis also conceivable that the frame 132 may be constructed of othersimilar substantially rigid materials and the first and second trimpieces 50, 54 may be made of other flexible materials relative to theinternal frame 132.

Additionally illustrated in FIG. 6, the rear panel portion 180 includesone or more upper inverted hooks 184, the energy transfer bracket 192,and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips 188. The first trim piece50 has an edge 140 that includes a flange 144 having a body portion 148with notches 136 that connect with an attachment element 220 (FIG. 7)located in a cavity 176 of an outer wall 172 of the second trim piece54. The rear panel portion 180 is molded of a rigid polymeric material,but can also be composed of a flexible polymer, fabrics, and othermaterials. Accordingly, the rear panel portion 180 may be hard, soft, orflexible.

In some embodiments, the one or more upper inverted hooks is a pair ofupper inverted hooks and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clipsis a pair of lower 2-stage attachment clips. In other embodiments, theone or more upper inverted hooks can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or a higher numberof upper inverted hooks. In additional embodiments, the one or morelower 2-stage attachment clips can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or a higher number oflower 2-stage attachment clips. In still other embodiments, the numberof upper inverted hooks can have the same number or a different numberthan the number of lower 2-stage attachment clips. For example, therecan be 2 upper inverted hooks and 2, 3, 4, 5, or a higher number oflower 2-stage attachment clips

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the one or more of upper inverted hooks 184,the energy transfer bracket 192, and the one or more lower 2-stageattachment clips 188 are all directly attached or formed to the rearpanel portion 180. The one or more upper inverted hooks 184 facesupwards and have a ribbed hook wall 204 extending out towards the seatframe 132 (FIG. 6) or the frame member opening 166 (FIG. 6). The one ormore upper inverted hooks 184 are constructed from a metal material orcan be molded with a polymer material the same as or different than therear panel portion 180. A rupture line 190 is a thinly contoured linegenerally in a “W-shaped configuration” defined by a recessed portion inthe rear panel portion. The rupture line 190 is configured to allow thebuttocks and hips of an occupant to push this portion of the vehicleseating assembly 10 rearward or allow the knees of a rear occupant topush this portion of the vehicle seating assembly 10 forward in acollision. A group of fins 208 are located centrally between the one ormore upper inverted hooks 184 to align and support the seat frame 132while additionally preventing lateral movement. A first receiving member212 is coupled at the top inside edge of the rear panel portion 180 anda second receiving member 216 is coupled on both sides of the rear panelportion 180 near the top inner side edge of the panel. Both the firstreceiving member 212 and the second receiving members 216 are configuredto attach to the seat frame 132 and/or first trim piece 50 (FIG. 2). Theattachment elements 220 on the inside edge of the outer wall 172 on thesecond trim piece 54 can be attached to the flange 144 (FIG. 5) withnotches 136 (FIG. 5) of the first trim piece 50 to enclose the seatframe 132. The one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips 188 isconnected near the bottom inside edge of the rear panel portion 180 andcan be spaced closer together than the one or more upper inverted hooks184. The energy transfer bracket 192 is a reinforced area on the rearpanel portion 180, in the shape of a “U” that acts as a stiffener to addstructural rigidity. In some embodiments, the energy transfer bracket192 is made with the same material or thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) asthe rear panel portion 180 and is positioned above the one or more lower2-stage attachment clips 188 with the U facing up towards the top of therear panel portion 180. The one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips188 are positioned near the bottom of the rear panel portion 180 and areattached to the seat frame 132 through a receiving slot 254 (FIG. 11B).A first stage of attachment for the 2-stage attachment clips has the2-stage attachment clips attached at a top 252 (FIG. 11B) of thereceiving slot 254. A second stage of attachment for the 2-stageattachment clips has the 2-stage attachment clips attached at a bottom256 (FIG. 11B) of the receiving slot 254 after the airbag is deployedpushing the 2-stage attachment clips down into the bottom 256 of thereceiving slot 254. A number of cylindrical bosses 224 and a number ofholes 228 are formed into or attached to the rear panel portion 180 foradditional means of connecting the rear panel portion 180 to the seatframe 132 and the first trim piece 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, this rear perspective view of one embodimentof the rear panel portion 180 includes the one or more upper invertedhooks 184, the energy transfer bracket 192, and the one or more lower2-stage attachment clips 188 attached to or formed into the rear panelportion 180. The energy transfer bracket 192 forms an outer edge or trimof a map pocket 232. The outer wall 172 on the second trim piece 54forms the outer rear surface of the seatback 22 (FIG. 1).

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the one or more upper inverted hooks 184, theenergy transfer bracket 192, and the one or more lower 2-stageattachment clips 188 are positioned on the rear panel portion 180. Arectangle 236 has been superimposed over these upper inverted hooks 184,energy transfer bracket 192, and the lower 2-stage attachment clips 188features to visualize a rectangular architecture on the rear panelportion 180. The rectangular architecture is defined on its short sidesby the one or more upper inverted hooks 184 and the one or more lower2-stage attachment clips 188 and is defined on its long sides by thesides of the energy transfer bracket 192.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the upper inverted hook 184 is attached tothe seat frame 132 through a frame member opening 166. The frame memberopening 166 of the seat frame 132 is nested in the upper inverted hook184 creating a space 248 beneath a top edge 240 of the frame memberopening 166 and the base of the upper inverted hook 184. The framemember opening 166 of the seat frame 132 additionally has a bottom edge244 of the frame member opening 166. The upper inverted hook 184 has ahook angle A to prevent the seat frame from being back driven out upondeployment of the airbag 42 (FIG. 1). The hook angle A of the upperinverted hook 184 can be from 40° to 50°. In other embodiments, the hookangle A can be from 44° to 48°, from 42° to 46°, about 43.8°, about44.0°, about 44.2°, about 44.4°, or about 44.6°. There is a width or adistance B beneath the top edge 240 of the frame member opening 166 andbetween a front surface 260 and a back surface 264 of the upper invertedhook 184 of at least 5.4 mm. This distance is required for the tolerancestampings and variations in the seat frame 132 produced inmanufacturing. In some embodiments, the width or distance B beneath thetop edge 240 of the frame member opening 166 and between the frontsurface 260 and the back surface 264 of the upper inverted hook 184 isat least 6 mm, at least 5 mm, or at least 4 mm. The ribbed hook wall 204(FIG. 11A) of the upper inverted hook 184 has a thickness C of at least10.4 mm. This ribbed hook wall 204 must be a minimum thickness to impartenough strength to the upper inverted hook 184. In other embodiments,the thickness of the ribbed hook wall 204 is at least 10 mm, at least 11mm, or at least 12 mm.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, FIG. 11A shows a zoomed in view ofthe upper inverted hook 184 attached to the seat frame 132 through theframe member opening 166 and FIG. 11B shows the 2-stage attachment clip188 connected to the seat frame 132 in its lower first stage. When theairbag deployment system 46 (FIG. 1) is triggered to deploy the airbag42 (FIG. 1), a deployment energy is generated and the airbag 42 firstdeploys outwardly against a vehicle door or a vehicle wall. Upondeployment and an initial impact with the vehicle door or vehicle wall,the deployment energy is transferred to the vehicle seating assembly 10and is absorbed by the one or more upper inverted hooks 184, the energytransfer bracket 192 (FIG. 9), and the one or more lower 2-stageattachment clips 188 of the rear panel portion 180 (FIG. 10) to fullydissipate the deployment energy. To absorb and dissipate the airbag's 42deployment energy, the rear panel portion 180 is pushed and lifted upand out from the one or more upper inverted hooks 184 and the one ormore lower 2-stage attachment clips 188. The seat frame 132 remainsattached but can be lifted up from both the one or more upper invertedhooks 184 and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips 188 todissipate the deployment energy. In a first attachment, the lower2-stage attachment clip 188 is coupled to the seat frame 132 through areceiving slot 254. Upon deployment of the airbag 42, the lower 2-stageattachment clip 188 slides up through the receiving slot 254 of the seatframe 132. The added stiffness and structural stability imparted by theenergy transfer bracket 192 prevents the rear panel portion 180 fromripping or tearing off of the seat frame 132 and passenger support 58(FIG. 2) of the vehicle seating assembly 10. The one or more upperinverted hooks 184, the energy transfer bracket 192, and the one or morelower 2-stage attachment clips 188 of the rear panel portion 180 worktogether to fully dissipate the deployment energy created by the anairbag deployment system 46.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat back assembly comprising: apassenger support; a suspension assembly coupling the passenger supportto a support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a firsttrim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion; wherein the rearpanel portion comprises one or more upper inverted hooks, an energytransfer bracket, and one or more 2-stage attachment clips; a sideairbag coupled in position to the frame member; and an airbag deploymentsystem configured to deploy the side airbag generating a deploymentenergy wherein the deployment energy is transferred to one or more upperinverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower2-stage attachment clips; wherein the seat frame remains attached butcan be lifted up from the one or more upper inverted hooks and the oneor more lower 2-stage attachment clips to dissipate the deploymentenergy.
 2. The vehicle seat back assembly of claim 1, wherein the one ormore upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one ormore lower 2-stage attachment clips are attached in a rectangulararchitecture on the rear panel portion.
 3. The vehicle seat backassembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more upper inverted hooks has ahook angle from 40° to 50° to engage the seat frame through a framemember opening.
 4. The vehicle seat back assembly of claim 1, whereinthe one or more upper inverted hooks comprises a ribbed hook wallextending out towards the seat frame.
 5. The vehicle seat back assemblyof claim 4, wherein the ribbed hook wall has a thickness of at least 10mm.
 6. The vehicle seat back assembly of claim 1, wherein the one ormore upper inverted hooks is a pair of upper inverted hooks and the oneor more lower 2-stage attachment clips is a pair of lower 2-stageattachment clips.
 7. The vehicle seat back assembly of claim 1, whereinthe energy transfer bracket is a reinforced area on the rear panelportion that forms an outer edge of a map pocket.
 8. A vehicle seatingassembly comprising: a passenger support; a suspension assembly; asupport structure comprising a first trim piece, a seat frame, and arear panel portion; and an airbag deployment system configured to deploya side airbag using the rear panel portion comprising one or more upperinverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower2-stage attachment clips to dissipate a deployment energy; wherein theseat frame can be lifted up from the one or more upper inverted hooksand the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips to dissipate thedeployment energy.
 9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, whereinthe one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, andthe one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips are attached in arectangular architecture on the rear panel portion.
 10. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 8, wherein the one or more upper invertedhooks have a hook angle from 40° to 50° to engage the seat frame througha frame member opening.
 11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8,wherein the one or more upper inverted hooks comprise a ribbed hook wallextending out towards the seat frame.
 12. The vehicle seating assemblyof claim 11, wherein the ribbed hook wall has a thickness of at least 10mm.
 13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the one or moreupper inverted hooks is a pair of upper inverted hooks and the one ormore lower 2-stage attachment clips is a pair of lower 2-stageattachment clips.
 14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, whereinthe energy transfer bracket is a reinforced area on the rear panelportion that forms an outer edge of a map pocket.
 15. A vehicle seatingassembly comprising: an airbag deployment system configured to deploy aside airbag coupled to a seat frame using a rear panel portioncomprising one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket,and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips; wherein the seat framecan be lifted up from the one or more upper inverted hooks and the oneor more lower 2-stage attachment clips to dissipate the deploymentenergy.
 16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the one ormore upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one ormore lower 2-stage attachment clips are attached in a rectangulararchitecture to the rear panel portion.
 17. The vehicle seating assemblyof claim 15, wherein the one or more upper inverted hooks have a hookangle of 40° to 50° to engage the seat frame through a frame memberopening.
 18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the oneor more upper inverted hooks comprises a ribbed hook wall having athickness of at least 10 mm extending out towards the seat frame.